Traeger names its portable grills after what they’re for — Ranger, Tailgater — except the Tailgater also carries a number: the Tailgater 20. That number looks like a spec. It isn’t the one most buyers assume.
Quick Answer
The Traeger Tailgater 20 is a folding portable pellet grill with 300 sq in of cook space (a 20 in x 15 in grate), an 8 lb hopper, and a 450°F max temperature, listing at $499.99 at most retailers (Ace Hardware, BBQ Outfitters) — Walmart has shown it as high as $577.32. The “20” in the name refers to the grate’s 20-inch length, per Traeger’s own support specs, not a 20 lb hopper — the real hopper holds just 8 lb, identical to the smaller, cheaper Ranger and good for only about 3-4 hours of smoking per fill. It’s a capable tailgate grill as long as that refill interval is priced into the buying decision.
Traeger Tailgater 20 at a glance
| Spec | Traeger Tailgater 20 |
|---|---|
| Cook space | 300 sq in (20 in x 15 in grate) |
| Hopper | 8 lb (~3-4 hrs per fill) |
| Max temperature | 450°F, 5°F increments |
| Controller | Digital Arc, with Keep Warm mode (165°F) |
| WiFi / app control | No WiFIRE |
| Weight | ~60-62 lbs (sources vary slightly) |
| Warranty | 3 years, parts only (labor not included) |
| Price | $499.99 at most retailers; up to $577.32 at Walmart |
The honesty-hook: the “20” isn’t the hopper size
This is the detail that catches people off guard. Traeger’s own Pro series uses grate-width naming — the Pro 22 has a 22-inch-wide grate, the Pro 34 a 34-inch-wide one — and the Tailgater 20 follows the same convention: Traeger’s support documentation lists its main grate at 20 in long by 15 in deep, which multiplies out to the 300 sq in of total grilling area on the spec sheet. The “20” is a grate dimension, not a capacity figure.
That matters because other brands in this category attach big numbers to hopper size instead — this site’s own Z Grills 700D4E review covers a 28 lb hopper on a similarly priced flagship — so it’s a reasonable assumption to carry into a Traeger listing. The Tailgater 20’s actual hopper holds just 8 lb, the same hopper Traeger puts in the smaller, cheaper Ranger. Independent reviewers single it out as one of the smallest hoppers in the portable pellet-grill class, good for roughly 3-4 hours of unattended smoking at a rough rate of about 1 lb of pellets per hour — enough for a round of burgers or chicken thighs, but a mid-cook refill if the plan is a pork butt or brisket.
None of that makes the grill a bad buy. It cooks at the same 450°F ceiling and 5°F control increments as the rest of Traeger’s lineup. It just means the model name promises more fuel capacity than the grill actually delivers.
Traeger Tailgater 20
- Digital Arc controller holds temperature in 5°F increments with a 165°F Keep Warm mode, per Traeger's own specs.
- Folds down for tailgates and campsites; ships with a porcelain-coated steel grate and a built-in meat probe.
- 8 lb hopper is the smallest in its class — plan on a refill for cooks past 3-4 hours.
- 3-year warranty covers parts only; labor is not included, per retailer-listed warranty terms.
Stocking the cooler for the same tailgate the grill is headed to? Try Amazon Fresh for grocery delivery while the grill gets loaded into the truck.
Tailgater 20 vs. Ranger: Traeger’s own two portables
| Traeger Tailgater 20 | Traeger Ranger | |
|---|---|---|
| Cook space | 300 sq in | 184 sq in |
| Hopper | 8 lb | 8 lb |
| Max temperature | 450°F | 450°F |
| Weight | ~60-62 lbs | 47-60 lbs |
| WiFi | No | No |
| Price | $499.99 | $479.99 |
The two grills run the identical hopper, controller, and max temperature — the real difference is grate size. The Tailgater 20 gives up a little extra weight and about $20 for 63% more cook space, which makes it the better pick any time trunk space allows it. Our full Traeger Ranger review covers that grill’s own portability shortfall in detail, and both appear in our best portable pellet grill roundup against WiFi-enabled rivals like Green Mountain’s Trek Prime 2.0.
Who should actually buy the Tailgater 20
- Buy it if: you want a folding grill sized for tailgates or small groups and you’re realistic about refilling the hopper on anything past a 3-4 hour cook.
- Skip it if: you were expecting a 20 lb hopper to match the name — it isn’t there, and the Ranger shares the same small hopper for less money if cook space isn’t the deciding factor.
- Consider the Ranger instead if: tabletop footprint matters more than cook space — see our Traeger Ranger review.
- Consider a bigger WiFi-enabled grill instead if: long unattended smokes (brisket, pork butt) are the main use case — our best pellet grill under $500 guide covers larger-hopper options like the Z Grills 700D4E at a similar price point.
The verdict
The Traeger Tailgater 20 is a solid folding grill at its 300 sq in grate size, running the same reliable Digital Arc controller found across Traeger’s lineup, and at $499.99 it undercuts most WiFi-enabled rivals by holding the line on features instead of price. The one thing to get straight before buying is the name: the “20” describes the 20-inch grate, not the hopper, and the actual 8 lb hopper is among the smallest in its class — plan on refilling it partway through anything longer than a few hours. Buy it for tailgate-length cooks and it delivers exactly what the spec sheet (not the model number) promises.